Enjoy the Open Road by Maintaining your Recreational Vehicle

It's easy to quickly load up your RV with backpacks, outdoor gear, electronics and food, and head out on the open road without stopping to think about maintenance. Progressive, one of the country's leading RV insurers, offers some tips to keep your RV in prime condition, and you and your family out enjoying the open road.

Outside Your RV

• Check your tire pressure after you load up. Each duffel bag, cooler and lawn chair can increase tire pressure. Check the tire pressure after you load up but before you leave on each trip. Find the proper tire pressure on the side of the tire or in the owner's manual.

• Check your hitch. If you own a travel trailer, regularly inspect your hitch system to make sure it's free of cracking, wear or loose bolts. Over time, your hitch system can wear and corrode from age and rust.

Inside Your RV

• Pack your RV carefully. Keep the RV balanced and stable by evenly packing the contents. Information on the load capacity and weight distribution is in the owner's manual. You can also find the information at a local dealership or repair shop.

• Inspect for rodents: It's not unusual for rodents to take up residence in RVs being stored for the winter. Animals can chew through wiring, which can cause extensive damage. To keep rodents out, check the floor of your RV for any gaps or holes and plug them up. Also thoroughly clean inside the RV and remove food that might attract rodents.

• Check your appliances: Check all of your electric and gas appliances to make sure they're working properly. If a gas appliance isn't operating the way it should, have a trained mechanic inspect it.

• Clean your holding tank: Clean the holding tanks every time you empty them, but only empty the tanks when they’re nearly full. Do not flush alcohol, ammonia, antifreeze, bleach, cooking grease, detergents, facial tissues, paper towels or other solids that may cause clogging.

• Check your insurance. A car insurance policy doesn't cover a lot of things that can go wrong with your RV. For example, if your RV breaks down, towing it to a repair facility requires specialized equipment, so an auto policy might not cover the full cost. With dedicated RV coverage like Progressive offers, Roadside Assistance claims are fully covered.